Bass

Oldtime bass player, dulcimer player

Surry County, NC

Barbara Poole was born in Galax, Virginia, and was raised about ten miles from the Lowgap community of Surry County which became her home in later years. She grew up surrounded by the traditional old-time music for which the area is known. Her grandfather, Norman Edmonds, was an influential fiddler of the area who was a regular performer on the radio station. "When I was learning," said Barbara, "I played with him." Barbara also played a lot with her brother, Jimmy Edmonds, who is a seventh generation fiddler. Jimmy started playing at four years old and had a band by the time he was six.

Bluegrass and old-time musician

Mount Airy, NC (Surry County)

Multi-instrumentalist and teacher Jim Vipperman grew up in a musically rich family and community in Surry County. "My dad played music, both of my grandfathers played, and my great-grandfather played. It is great to come from that family history, and I think it has helped me absorb the music." Jim plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, and banjo.

Bluegrass bass and guitar player and singer

Warrenville, NC (Ashe County)

"Good harmony singing is what makes the bluegrass sound for me," says bluegrass bass and guitar player Loyd Richardson. Like many bluegrass musicians, Loyd's first musical exposure came in church. "I learned guitar from my dad, and used to play in church and on Sunday morning radio broadcasts with local preachers."

Bluegrass musician

Lansing, NC (Ashe County)

"I've really enjoyed my music over the years," says Ashe County musician Butch Barker. "I don't think I would have got by without it." Known primarily as a bluegrass musician, Butch plays guitar, bass, and fiddle, and he sings lead and harmony. While he has made his daytime career at American Emergency Vehicles building molds for ambulances, he spends much of his free time picking informally with friends, performing with bluegrass groups, sound engineering at fiddlers' conventions, and promoting the music of northwest North Carolina.